Boston activists confront bankers to stop evictions

“Bail out the people, not Wall Street bankers!” resounded in the streets outside the Colonnade Hotel during the Oct. 6 lunch hour as activists in the struggle against foreclosures, evictions and utility shutoffs demonstrated at the “Open Doors” conference.

WW photo: Stevan Kirshbaum

Hosted by the Warren Group, the conference included banks, mortgage companies and such insurance companies as Bank of America, SBLI insurance company, TD Banknorth and many others.

Speakers at the conference included Gov. Deval Patrick, Congressperson Barney Frank, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, the Director of Community Affairs for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and others directly involved in creating the financial crisis and forcing people out of their homes.

Cameras from all major TV channels rolled as the protesters demanded an immediate moratorium on foreclosures and evictions. They expressed outrage at the $700-billion giveaway to the banks while poor and working people continue to be evicted and have their homes foreclosed.

The protest was called by the Women’s Fightback Network, the youth group Fight Imperialism, Stand Together (FIST) and the International Action Center. There was strong participation from Steelworkers’ Local 8751, the Boston School Bus Drivers Union, including President Frantz Mendes and Vice President Steve Gillis.

Also participating were Bishop Filipe Teixeira, OFSJC; members of the Raging Grannies; and students and youth who helped make placards and a banner which read, “Bail out people, not banks—Moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.”

The demonstration lasted from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., with a militant picket line and chanting interspersed with speakers condemning the bailout and demanding that the money be used for the peoples’ needs. When Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, arrived, he was greeted with: “Barney Frank, we say no! Wall Street bailout’s got to go!”

As Frank scurried past the protesters and into the hotel, Miya Campbell of FIST taunted him from the microphone, demanding to know why he was afraid to speak to or hear from the people. She also highlighted how youth and their needs are closed out of the “Open Doors” conference, with schools being closed and students out on the streets and homeless because of foreclosures.

Shortly afterward, a delegation of 15 demonstrators moved into the hotel and chanted loudly as they approached the hall where the event was held. They were barred by security from reaching the conference area, but their loud chants resounded throughout the hotel and their message was heard.

The police were brought in to threaten the demonstrators with arrest if they didn’t leave. Speakers pointed out how this so-called “Open Doors” conference was in fact open only to rich thieves, conspiring to rob the people’s money. The delegation then rejoined the picket line outside.

The protest focused on the growing demand that Gov. Patrick declare an “economic state of emergency” in Massachusetts and implement an immediate moratorium on foreclosures and evictions; stop utility shutoffs and restore services immediately; and roll back food and fuel prices.

The protest also focused attention on the recent $700-billion bailout of Wall Street as well as the $315-billion bailouts of American International Group, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Bear Stearns. Demonstrators stressed that poor and working people need assistance, not the banks whose racist, corrupt, predatory practices created the crisis.

Nan Genger of the Women’s Fightback Network pointed out that poor and working people will be forced to bear the brunt of these bailouts as services and programs are slashed on federal, state and local levels. This money, as well as the nearly $1 trillion being spent on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the hundreds of billions going to the Pentagon, belongs in our communities, where it’s needed for education, youth programs, healthcare, affordable housing and jobs at livable wages.

This protest was part of the national movement calling for a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions initiated by the Ad Hoc National Network to Stop Foreclosures and Evictions. (www.stopforeclosuresandevictions.org)